With the nation on full alert, President Bush outside of Washington DC at an undisclosed location, Governor George Pataki has activated the New York National Guard and two warships have been ordered into New York Harbor.

Stock exchanges nationwide are shut down, as are all New York City libraries. New York bridges and tunnels are open for outbound traffic but most public transportation here has been halted or is running on limited service. Government buildings in DC, including the White House and the Pentagon have been evacuated, as has Chicago's Sears Tower and many large office buildings there.

All New York-area airports have been shut down and military jets are patrolling the area, creating a no-fly zone in the vicinity. Dulles airport has been shut down due to reports of suspicious packages having been found there and in an unprecedented move, The Federal Aviation Administration has grounded all aircraft across the United States. In addition, Canada's Transport Ministry has shut down all Canadian airports in a precautionary measure as the calamitous situation continues to unfold. Canadian Transport Minister David Collenette says the nation's airports will allow landings by aircraft diverted by the US. US-bound transatlantic flights are being diverted to Canadian airports.